cause you're the one that i put on a pedestal

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass
They were known for their treadmill video. And here they are with yet another viral video for This Too Shall Pass from their latest album "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky". An extremely elaborate Rube Goldberg machine, it ended with a bang, literally. This had to come on because of the spectacular video, much less for the song. There was nothing special about the song, just decent. But real props for the preparation involved in the making of the video.

The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
Really old school, like literally. Song came out in 2000. That's 10 years ago! Real dapper song with catchy riffs and lyrics. Woo ooh ooh. Their name's a play on Andy Warhol.

Hayley Taylor - No More Wishing
Really romantic song heard on HIMYM.

The Swimmers - A Hundred Hearts
Oh dear, I'm so in love with this song. The video has fantastic art direction, but that's just a bonus. It's perfect foil for this brilliant song, catchy and melodious yet serving to make one feel contemplative at the same time as they sing of broken hearts. Chiming keyboards and clapping hands (which seems to be a mainstay of songs now) coupled with a strong beat takes this song up a notch.

and i need someone to call my own

Jazz is a good barometer of freedom. In its beginnings, the United States spawned certain ideals of freedom and independence through which, eventually, jazz was evolved, and the music is so free that many people say it is the only unhampered, unhindered expression of complete freedom yet produced in this country.

- Duke Ellington


Been in the jazz mood lately, soaking up the jazz beats on a good afternoon is the next best thing to standing by a lake observing the mist lifting as the warm light filters through, bouncing off the placid surface of the water, the hues of light bathing the entire surrounding.


Koop - Come To Me (feat. Yukimi Nagano)
Koop is the Swedish electronic jazz duo of Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson from Sweden. Though the music may sound as if it is played by a tight jazz group, it is actually sample-based. Thousands of small clips of drums, strings, horns, and choirs are taken from old records and pieced together into new songs. This time consuming production process is one of the reasons Koop’s albums are released 4-5 years apart. So take your time to marvel at this painstaking process that a duo dedicated to their craft go through, whilst you soak in the ambient jazz feeling; or get transported back into the 30s/40s. Nagano's vocals are excellent, giving off that unmistakable jazz vibe. Absolute stunner of a song, really.

Parov Stelar - Kiss Me Twice
Lush and smooth. Certainly one for the senses.

Micatone - Shake It Baby
Uber sensual song, it's oozing appeal.

Kyoto Jazz Massive - Eclipse
Wordless paradise, heaven in sound.

Jazzanova - No Use (feat. Clara Hill)
Like wine, best savoured chilled.

The Saturday Mix #38 - asleep for twenty years with this feeling

Sebastien Tellier - Divine (Danger Remix)
Oh so divine. What do you get when Danger does a mix on divine music? You get a dangerously divine song. (Cheesy I know, but had to let it out.)

Mille - Crysteena (Fear of Tigers Remix)
Mille means 1000 in French. Wonder if it's derived as such.

Fear of Tigers - The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump (Diamond Cut Remix)
Who is Pippi Longstrump? I have a feeling it's Pippi Longstocking, a fictional character in a series of children's books by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, and adapted into multiple films and television series. In Swedish, it's Pippi Långstrump; Pippi Langstrømpe in Norwegian; and Pippi Langstrumpf in German.

Scanners - Salvation (Don Diablo Remix)
Just how do you turn a rock song into a dancefloor mix?

Metric - Sick Muse (Adam Freeland Remix)
I'm in love with this remix, it's way too dope. NOO! He broke up the "I'll write you harmony in C".

The Radio Dept. - David (The Rice Twins remix)
This is going down with me as slow and purposeful. Good beat, could be semi chillout too, for a change of pace.

Beni - Maximus (Harvard Bass Remix)

if you're vaguely attracted to rooftops

Eels - A Line in the Dirt
I felt like I've heard this somewhere before, but I can't put a name to it. I hate this feeling. Nevertheless, nice piano driven song with hoarse vocals from Mark Oliver Everett. But I'm pretty sure the high vocals are not from him. Or is it? Fantastically talented man he is, almost a one man band.

Kings of Convenience - Scars on Land
Listening to their songs always make me wonder how just two of them can sound so magical and affecting with just their guitars and their voices. They seem to transcend everything, lyrically and musically. This particular song seems to be about urbanisation, what with "the weight of lead, on floors of sand" and "still untouched, no stain of hands". Meaningful and melodic, they never cease to amaze.

Freelance Whales - Hannah
Damn awesome song. Lovely and absolutely amazing. Right off the bat, they sing the equivalent of tapdancing, racing through lyrics of grabbing a martini and meeting at the rooftop where they can argue where and when the cymbal hits should be. Whimsical pop at it's best, definitely.

Freelance Whales - Generator ^ Second Floor
Previously, it was the first floor, now enjoy the second floor, yet another wonderful song from these Big Applers.

Metric - Gold Guns Girls
Alliteration plus rapid fire singing with "ba-ba-ba-ba-ba" drums.

if it's a dream i wouldn't know if it's worth dreaming

"People see rock and roll as youth culture and when youth culture becomes monopolised by big businesses, what are the youth to do? Do you have any idea? I think we should destroy the bogus capitalist process that is destroying youth culture."

- The Radio Dept. in Heaven's on Fire


She & Him - Thieves
What a pretty song. Vocals contributed by Zooey Deschanel and main accompaniment by M. Ward. Disarming country song which is lovesick to the bone, she oozes every bit of charm and sincerity as she belts out line after line of heartbreak and longing.

The Radio Dept. - Heaven's on Fire (mp3)
Very pop feel to their new song, part of their new album "Clinging to a Scheme" which is slated for an April 21 release. And yet another song with a narration which goes as above. Very interesting and insightful comment, leading right into a breezy keyboard riff. That hazy feel, I can imagine myself bathing in the warm glow of sunlight as I traipse down the street by the beach. It leaves that lingering taste of the salty air on the tip of your tongue; definitely looking forward to their new release. Is it me or do I feel a little jazz infusion here with all that sax sound?

when i look at you/my heaven's on fire

Laurel Music - Dreams and Lies (mp3)
Short, simple, sweet and heartfelt, in the vein of Zooey Deschanel, it's beautifully written.

Daniel Zott - Living A Lie!
Chuck has the most awesome music choices currently. They find such appropriate music for the scenes, it amplifies everything by a million times. This [articular song plays at the part where Chuck has to break up with Hannah for her own good, but cannot tell her the truth. And she says he's the best liar she's ever met. Absolutely heartwrenching and gut-tearing. They were pretty sweet together. I was moved and totally felt for Chuck.

"cause every good thing i do is a selfish act" - this line is so apt for Chuck's conundrum.

forever journey on golden avenues

Photo from YSL Collection Femme SS10


Fashion could be more relevant. It needs to be understood rather than just consumed.

- Stefano Pilati, Creative Director YSL


Luke Vibert - Electrophy
What got me was the speaking in the front, that 'intro-ed' the song. It sounded a lot like the narrator in BioShock. Very interesting creation here.

The Honeydrips - Fall From a Height
The narration in the song, again is mysterious and alluring all the same. Much less needs to be said of the ethereal soundscape, almost psychedelic and otherworldly. Fantastic. Just realised where the narration comes from - sample quotes from Annie Hall (starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton) and Rebel Without a Cause (starring James Dean). At only 2:35, I wish it were half a minute longer.

Sebastien Tellier - La Ritournelle
Loosely translated as 'the jingle', don't be surprised at the extended "intro", which has the sole purpose of setting the mood for the song. Four entire minutes dedicated to pure craft, with which he ensures you absorb everything, ready to embrace the latter half of the song. And he doesn't let down, with simple lyrics about love, it complements the keyboard wonderfully. However, the 48 seconds or so of one chorus seems to pass by so fleetingly, as the song dwindles to an embracing warmth.

Class Actress - Journal of Ardency
“sweetly spectral vocals over lush ’80s synths and beats.” – NYLON

I have to concur. First thing I was thinking, female solo version of The Polyamorous Affair? She's awesome!

high heel boots just for kicks

Kidstreet - Song
I love it when I watch some video and there's some awesome song backing the video. Kidstreet was a Canadian kids game game show that aired from 1989 to 1992, and yes, this trio hails from Ontario, Canada. I never expected Canada cos electronic music seems to be the mainstay of the swedes, norwegians, brits, americans even. The song is so hyper and ecstatic. it's like rushing around hurriedly on tip-toe, It's almost like a ballet dancer going around on pointe hurriedly. Yet at times, it's almost unelegant, like a big burly man rushing around on tip toe with urgency. Brilliant composition.

Kidstreet - Penny Candy
If a machine gun could sing, that's how it'd go. The blinking lights at the start was so hypnotic and trance-like. Sick beats going on there.

Fear of Tigers - The Adventures Of Pippi Longstrump (mp3)
Get the entire album "Cossus Snufsigalonica" here from their myspaceblog. Rehosted individual song. This is a veritable smorgasbord of electronic sounds and samples and looping and what not. Totally catchy and with that operatic "ehhh" and "oohhhhh", this fine track definitely shows what Fear of Tigers is capable of and epitomises "Cossus Snufsigalonica" best. Will get on with an album review sometime soon.

Holiday for Strings - Two Of You (mp3)
Pony dropped an email with the promo album, and I must say I'm quite enamoured with their brand of experimental electronic infused with touches of kraut, retro etc. Take Two Of You for instance, there's the 70s disco feel to the vocals, and notable driving beat. Wait for the album review of "Favourite Flavor" too. All coming to you at allthesesounds soon.